FJ Cruisers of Northern California

To CAI or not to CAI?

A CAI seems like a good idea.

Has anyone had to have a smog check? Do you have to put the factory air cleaner back in to pass?

Most of the CAIs I see advertised note that they are not CARB compliant.

What has been your experience?

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bz on October 6, 2009 at 10:25pm

Do it

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by manoweb on October 6, 2009 at 10:54pm

I don't know but I would be very surprised if anything changed... you just give more air to the engine.

Only thing, I am not sure how a CAI can give colder air than the stock system. I can believe more flow due to the bigger filter but how can the air be any colder?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bz on October 6, 2009 at 11:12pm

the answer is in the details the coragated tube slows the air down, then all the twists and turns the stock intake makes to keep the inhale quite allows the air to build some heat. If ya have a stock intake we can use my Scan Gauge II to compare them

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Engine Jen on October 7, 2009 at 8:36am

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing...

Just recently got a TRD CAI and love it, but this is California
and I wondered the same thing!!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by daPitbull on October 7, 2009 at 9:03am

One good thing about them is that the fileter element is re-usable and cleanable as opposed to the stock intake system. Other than that, performance gain is negligible. I got one cuz the mod bug bit me quick and there was a group buy so I got a killer deal. Not so sure I'd spend that same cash right now though.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by addis mccarver on October 7, 2009 at 1:15pm

ive had my cai for more then 2 years now, and no issues...as for smog tests, dont they do that from the exhaust? here in texas, ive cought no flack. im not sure how the cai would effect the exhaust, but again, im in texas...my experience has been a good one..ive got the trd cai...kinda find it hard to imagine toyota making a product that would not comply with epa standards

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by daPitbull on October 7, 2009 at 1:34pm

As far as I know, we (CA residents) will pass the smog test, but if their is a non-CARB compliant device (AFE CAI) without a CARB sticker on it, they will not pass us. So the actual test we'll pass, but all aftermarket stuff needs to be CARB compliant. Simple fix though to put the stock box on for smog test.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by DWH on October 7, 2009 at 8:54pm

In doing some more research, I found the AirRaid filter below is CARB approved for 2007 FJs. Hopefully it is just a matter of time before the rest of us will be legal as well.

http://www.airaid.com/InstallationPDF/510-201.pdf

You can do a search for approved products here.
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/devices/aftermktdevice.php

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Engine Jen on October 9, 2009 at 8:24pm

Cool. Thanks for the link.

The bad news is that I don't see my TRD PTR05-35061 listed.
Did I just miss it??

Urrrg!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by DWH on October 10, 2009 at 12:18pm

I think the TRD CAI is an re-badged AFE. Someone else here may be able to confirm this.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bz on October 10, 2009 at 3:11pm

aFe makes the TRD airbox but they aren't the same, the aFe has a opening in the bottom (for drainage maybe?) I got mine right after I bought the FJ and had one on my '99 Ram1500 you can feel the difference

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Romanski on October 19, 2009 at 2:26pm

I used to be a weekend BMW club racer and I have had 'some" :) experience with natural aspiration. On my M3 club car I had a carbon fiber tube 3.5" going to a large free flow K&N filter. With proper software tuning I was able to see a 4rwhp (rear wheel HP) difference between using a CAI or my standard intake at 6K - 7.5K RPM redline. I also changed my intake manifold, injectors, and software for a grand total of 24rwhp gain but again over 5k RPM. Long story short, if you plan to drive above 5k rpm which is possible in the FJ you will see a net gain. Otherwise, enjoy the sound which is worth $$$ as well but for normal driving there is no gain. The "ribbed" tube means very little, it is too far down stream and the air will become turbulent when it goes through the MAF, intake runners, and injection ports. If you want real power at low rpm go with a compressor and don't look back (positive pressure).

CAIs should not be illegal and won't affect your smog stuff but if a cop makes you open your hood or the smog guy says "what's that?" you could have issues with the fact you modified your intake system.